Overhaul: My year of Transition

I decided to start this blog as a means of recording my struggles and achievements at making some significant changes in my life. I turned 58 years of age yesterday. It was a time of reflection for me, as I had been making tiny little steps to change over the past year, motivated by the state of the economy, the state of the environment, and the state of my health and happiness. I want to lessen my footprint on this beautiful green planet. I want to live with purpose and more mindfully. I want to spend less and enjoy more. I want to serve as an example for my children. I want to de-clutter, and consume less.

I have made some changes in our home already. I have been diligent about turning off lights that are not used. I collect water for my plants from the first cold jolt of the shower. I have quick showers every second day. I do not flush the toilet as often. I have turned the heat down to 67 degrees and only occasionally turn it up to 68. I unplug everything I can when it is not in use. I recycle. I compost. However, in spite of all these efforts, I feel that there is far more that I can do.

I am going to attempt to buy locally as much as possible. I would like to think that I can stay within a 100 mile radius of home, but I know, that this is not always easy to do, especially when jumping into a project during the winter and unprepared for such an endeavor. For now, I will limit my purchases to those products that come from Ontario only. I went shopping yesterday and picked up a can of fruit cocktail In reading the label I discovered that this product had been made in China for a company that was located in Toronto. Needless to say, it was put back on the shelf. In doing that I realized that I need to do some homework if I want my little project to work.

So! My plan is to doing some gardening this year. I have asked for raised garden beds as my birthday gift and my husband has promised to make these beds for me and has enlisted my son's help. Our ground is still frozen so that is a job that will be put on the back burner for a little while, but I have been perusing the seed catalogs for ideas of what I can grow and preserve this summer. We are living in close proximity to Mennonite country and those things I cannot grow, I will buy from them. I have started some seeds and plan to do more at the beginning of April. I need to do some homework on composting, and I think I have found some blogs that will help me in that regard.

My next little focus will be on consuming less and THAT will be a challenge! Book buying is a costly habit for me and totally unnecessary given the information that is provided on the Internet. I don't buy for myself as much as I do for others but I hope to make more gifts and cards this year, and in the event that I cannot make what is needed I am going to buy "Canadian."

I use my car for short jaunts only.....to work (approx 2 km)...and to the grocery store. I no longer make unnecessary shopping jaunts out of town. My goal is to ride my bike to work this year. A friend gave me a head light, so a little tune up of my bike, and I am ready to go!

There is so much more I want to accomplish, but in keeping with another goal I have of spending less time on the computer, I must end here.

I hope that this blog does not bore anyone who happens on this site. I hope that we can learn from each other.

Until next time...
Wendy